The University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has released two new publications for potato growers on producing potatoes with limited water supplies and a second on nutrient guidelines for Russet Burbank potatoes.
The eight-page, "Potato Production With Limited Water Supply," discussed the impacts of water stress on potatoes at various stages and presents strategies growers can consider if they expect water to be limited.
Authors Bradley King, Jeffrey Stark and Stephen Love describe deficit irrigation management and review such options as reducing potato acreage, selecting fields whose soils have higher water-holding capacities, planting aged seed and increasing seedpiece spacing.
They also provide irrigation management tips for such early maturing or drought-tolerant varieties as Ranger Russet, Russet Norkotah, Shepody, Alturas, Gem Russet, GemStar Russet and CalWhite.
The 12-page publication, "Nutrient Management Guidelines for Russet Burbank Potatoes," written by Stark, Dale Westermann and Bryan Hopkins advises growers on methods of optimizing fertilzier-use efficiency. It covers factors affecting potato nutrient requirements, soil and plant analyses, fertilizer application methods, and management of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium and micronutrients.
Both publications can be downloaded from the CALS Educational Communications Website: http://info.ag.uidaho.edu. They may also be ordered by calling (208) 885-7982 or by writing calspub@uidaho.edu.